Detection Systems: Warning—Child in the Car!
More and more cars are equipped with so-called child presence detection systems. These systems issue a warning if a child is left in the car. A test shows that there are still some shortcomings, particularly when it comes to newborns. Thule offers a possible solution.
The risk is particularly high in hot weather: If a child is left in a locked car for too long, it can lead to health problems that may even result in death. To prevent such tragic incidents, more and more cars are equipped with so-called Child Presence Detection (CPD) systems. These systems detect whether a child or even a pet is still inside a parked car and send various signals to alert the vehicle’s owner or passersby.
To Protect Children and Animals
The German automotive club ADAC has now tested their effectiveness. Indirect CPD systems monitor a combination of seatbelt buckle status, seat occupancy, and door openings. Direct systems are designed to detect movements—such as those caused by breathing—using radar. While all vehicles in the test detected the one-year-old child dummy, detecting a newborn dummy in a rear-facing car seat proved to be more challenging. None of the direct systems could reliably detect it. Detection worked better when the infant car seat was secured with the vehicle’s seat belt rather than with an ISOFIX attachment. Overall, the study showed that the wide variety of passenger and seating configurations remains a technical challenge. CPDs are therefore an additional safety measure, but not a substitute for the responsibility of parents and caregivers. The basic rule is: Babies, children, and pets should never be left alone in a car in warm temperatures—not even for what may seem like a brief moment.
A Clever Solution from Sweden
Almost at the same time as the ADAC test, Thule’s specialists unveiled a solution—compatible with any vehicle model—that takes child safety in cars to a new level, and not just when a child is left alone in the car. That’s because Thule’s Connected Car Seats—available starting September 1—use a sensor-based system to monitor every critical installation step, including the proper tightening of the seat belt. Parents—and especially godparents—who may not handle child seats on a daily basis receive step-by-step instructions, important safety tips, and immediate safety alerts on their smartphones and the vehicle’s infotainment display.
After all, installing a child safety seat correctly is a challenge even for many parents. It’s hard to believe, but according to insurance companies, nearly 50 percent of all car seats are installed incorrectly! Straps that are too loose are also a widespread problem: 30 percent of infants and 40 percent of toddlers are affected—with potentially dangerous consequences. «Good crash performance is important, but proper daily use is just as crucial to truly protect the little ones. With the Connected Car Seats by Thule, we give parents peace of mind and a sense of security. As a mother, I know how valuable that is, especially on a hectic morning,» explains Beatrice Råvik Janzon, Director of Category Management Active with Kids at Thule. By the way, the smart Connected Car Seats by Thule are available here starting at 309.95 Swiss francs.
